I have homocystinuria, which means that I should get as little methionine in my protein as possible. The doctors recommend I take a special methionine-free protein powder, but the insurance won't pay for it. What is the step-by-step for making them come around? [more inside]
posted by Jacen Solo on Jul 28, 2009 - 2 answers

My insurance company (Blue Cross/Shield MA) is dropping all prescription drug benefits for allergy drugs in favor of over-the-counter medicine like Claritin. I have serious allergies and take Alegra 180. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by morallybass on Sep 28, 2008 - 20 answers

Help me find medical insurance in Boston. [more inside]
posted by nightengine on May 14, 2008 - 8 answers

Will my doctor switch me from an OTC medication to prescription if I just ask nicely? [more inside]
posted by 0xFCAF on Feb 12, 2008 - 15 answers

Why don't insurance companies cover or help cover gym memberships? [more inside]
posted by MrMulan on Jan 22, 2008 - 24 answers

Here's the situation: I changed health insurance plans about two years ago ago. I have a good plan, based in Californa, that costs me about $250 a month. Since starting the coverage, my major medical expense - for about a year - have three monthly medications which I take for recently-diagnosed bipolar disorder. I have never claimed these expenses on my insurance, nor have I ever put any of my psychiatric costs on a claim. The reason is that I've been advised not to do this, especially with a bipolar diagnosis, since, in the words of my psychiatrist, "once that's on your record, you'll have a very hard time if you need to change insurance plans." (I should add that the diagnosis, while scary, and the resulting treatment, has changed my life so much for the better that I'd sell pretty much sell a kidney to keep paying for the meds, if I had to.) [more inside]
posted by soulbarn on Oct 16, 2006 - 6 answers

MEDICAL INSURANCE: I'm getting some for the first time in 8 years. Clearly I should have at least catastrophic, but help me decide whether having more is worth the cost. Also: any opinions about HealthyNY insurance? [more inside]
posted by lorimer on Sep 15, 2006 - 9 answers

I currently have an excellent health insurance plan - however, it does not cover a medication my doctor would like to prescribe. It is available on my spouse's plan, however. I don't want to change insurers because my doctor only accepts my exisiting company, and I want to keep her. However, I can get onto my spouse's policy for quite a bit less than the monthly cost of the medication. Is this legal? Ethical? Are there any pitfalls? Would one insurance company be able to share information about my medical history with another? Would there be trouble for me if I became seriously ill? Thanks!
posted by soulbarn on Jan 3, 2006 - 12 answers

I'm about to start my first salaried job, and will therefore have health insurance. My girlfriend has none. We'd like a method of birth control that's safer and more effective than condoms, but neither of us can afford birth control pills out of pocket. As a man, is there any way I can use my health insurance to pay for birth control pills? If not, what are my other options? [more inside]
posted by tweebiscuit on Nov 13, 2005 - 26 answers

I'm on vacation in Portland, Oregon and our lame insurance won't pay for any healthcare. Anyway, there's a $200 deductible. I can go to an urgent care for $200, but was wondering if anyone knows of a pediatrician somewhere that will take walk-ins that might cost a little less than Urgent Care. I know there's a free clinic in Vancouver, but we don't really qualify, although I suppose we could go there and make a large donation. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on May 9, 2005 - 6 answers

My boyfriend wants to have his mother from Morocco come visit us in the US. She has some health problems including Diabetes.

Does anyone have any information about how we can get some health insurance for her while she is here visiting just in case we need for some reason seek medical assistance during her stay?
posted by Gooney on Feb 3, 2005 - 4 answers